NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I
NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I
NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I
The promotion of optimum health of families is imperative in healthcare. Nurses utilize their understanding of family structure and diversity in needs to develop care plans that promote the health, wellbeing, and recovery of family members. Family assessment enables nurses to provide holistic care that addresses both the actual and potential needs of the family members. The assessment provides insights into family strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities to be explored to achieve the desired health-related goals. Therefore, this paper NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I examines an interview performed with a family to identify its health status and application of family systems theory to promote positive change in the family’s functions over time.
Description of the Family Structure
The interviewed family comprises seven members that include parents aged between 40 and 50 years, a grandparent aged 75 years, and two children aged between 10 and 20 years. The family is of African American ethnicity. It is a Christian family living in a family-owned home. The father is a nurse while the mother is a teacher. The grandfather is a retired army officer. The children are school-going. The family is of the middle class, living in a healthy environment. It engages in activities that contribute to the development of the community. For example, it assists the poor in achieving their health-related needs.
Overall Health Behaviors of the Family
The interview revealed the family to be of moderate health. Most of the family members were found healthy except the grandfather who is diabetic and suffers from depression. The family engages in activities that contribute to their positive health. They include engaging in active physical activities, eating healthy diets, and utilizing social support systems to achieve their health-related needs. The interview also showed the family to utilize screening services for health problems, including hypertension, cancer, and obesity. The interview showed some areas of weaknesses that threaten its health. They include high costs of care and access to specialized care. The family raised concerns about the increasing costs of addressing the care needs of the grandfather. In most cases, the family found it hard to access the specialized care he needed due to its geographical location in the region. Therefore, it was essential to assist the family to identify ways of addressing their health-related challenges.
Functional Health Pattern Strengths
The interview revealed some functional health pattern strengths in the family. One of the strengths relates to values/health perception patterns. The family was aware of its health needs and how to achieve them. It understood the unique health needs of each member of the family. It was also aware of the importance of engaging in health practices that promote its health. For example, its members utilize screening services to identify and manage health problems promptly. The family members also engage in active physical activity to prevent health problems, including obesity, overweight, diabetes, and hypertension. The second functional area of strength identified during the interview is coping. The family acknowledged experiencing stressors that affect its overall health. However, it uses effective coping strategies such as seeking support from each other and community members to overcome the stressors. It also seeks professional support from counselors and healthcare providers to overcome adversities. Effective coping with stressors has enabled the family to develop resilience to unforeseen events that may affect its members (Davey et al., 2020).
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Areas of Health Problems or Barriers to Health
One of the barriers to health identified in the family is the high cost of care. The family members noted that achieving grandfather’s health needs has been costly for them. The grandfather needs frequent hospitalizations for depression and diabetes, which increases the costs incurred in the family. The costs incurred in seeking specialized care have been rising, hence, the challenge. The other barrier identified from the interview is access to specialized care. The family noted challenges in accessing specialized care it needed due to its geographical location in the region (Huot et al., 2019). One of the health problems identified from the interview is the grandfather suffering from diabetes and depression. The children are also predisposed to lifestyle-related problems due to too much screen time and playing video games (Anderson & Durstine, 2019). Therefore, it was essential to educate the family about the importance of engaging consistently in activities that promote their health.
Application of Family Systems Theory
The family systems theory can be appliedto solicit changes in family members that, in turn, initiate
NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I
positive change to the overall functions over time. The theory provides insights on how family members can be influenced to contribute to their optimal health (Bottorff et al., 2021). The analysis of theoretical concepts such as sibling behavior and family problems increases nurses’ understanding of family functioning and health. Therefore, they can use it to strengthen positive behaviors that will contribute to their optimal functioning and the health of the family (Bottorff et al., 2021). In addition, the theory can be used to increase the understanding of the family members of the interdependence in their roles and how to engage in activities contributing to their optimal health.
NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I Conclusion
Overall, a family assessment is important in nursing practice. Nurses utilize it to understand the actual and potential family needs. The interview performed with the family revealed some strengths and weaknesses. It is important for nurses working with the family to empower the members to identify opportunities for minimizing their barriers to health. In addition, they should explore the incorporation of the family systems theory into the care given to the family to ensure its optimum health.
NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I References
Anderson, E., & Durstine, J. L. (2019).Physical activity, exercise, and chronic diseases: A brief review.Sports Medicine and Health Science, 1(1), 3–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smhs.2019.08.006
Bottorff, J. L., Huisken, A., Hopkins, M., & Friesen, L. (2021).Scaling up a community-led health promotion initiative: Lessons learned and promising practices from the Healthy Weights for Children Project.Evaluation and Program Planning, 87, 101943. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2021.101943
Davey, J., Herbst, J., Johns, R., Parkinson, J., Russell-Bennett, R., &Zainuddin, N. (2020). The role of health locus of control in value co-creation for standardized screening services. Journal of Service Theory and Practice, 30(1), 31–55. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSTP-08-2018-0180
Huot, S., Ho, H., Ko, A., Lam, S., Tactay, P., MacLachlan, J., &Raanaas, R. K. (2019). Identifying barriers to healthcare delivery and access in the Circumpolar North: Important insights for health professionals.International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 78(1), 1571385. https://doi.org/10.1080/22423982.2019.1571385
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What is a definition of family that encompasses the different family structures prevalent today? Discuss the importance of acknowledging nontraditional family structures. Explain how family systems theory can be used to better understand the interactions of a modern family (traditional or nontraditional).
Traditionally, a family was defined as parents and children living together in a single home. Still, the US Census Bureau recognizes a family as individuals living in the same house who are related through bloodline, adoption or marriage. However, these definitions cannot completely define what a family is in today’s society. There are many types of family structures. The word family may mean different things to different people. Some consider their friends and distant relatives more of a family than the traditional mother father children. Pets are considered part of the family also. When defining a family in modern times, it is important to not narrow it down to only father, mother, children. We need to consider the different type of families which may not include gender marriage or blood relatives or parents’ gender may be same sex. We have blended families, where offspring from previous marriages become sibling. There is the family of choice where an individual chooses someone they can trust and love rather than the original bloodline relatives. Green, S. (2018) “The institute of medicine defines family broadly for end-of-life care, as not only people related by blood or marriage, but also close friends, partners, companions, and others whom patient will want as part of their care team”
It is important to recognize the nontraditional family structure because the individual health is closely linked to the health of the family. Green, S. (2018) understands that “rather than trying to determine which model and which developmental tasks are best for studying the families, Wright and Leahey (2013) believe the best approach is for nurses to view each family as an exclusive system, then assess the family’s views of the meaning of changes and transitions in the family system. The nurse can then use the family’s views to determine which aspects have the most impact on that system.”
When assessing a patient, the nurse can use the Calgary family assessment by interviewing the family members, this can save a lot of time. It is important for the nurse to connect with the family. communication and questioning of family members, gives a better understanding of issues brought out in the assessment process.
Reference
Green, S. (2018) Health Promotion: Health & wellness across the continuum. Understanding families and health promotion. Retrieved from https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs429vn/health-promotion-health-and-wellness-across-the-continuum/v1.1/#/chapter/4
NRS 429V Week 5 Discussion 2 NEW SYLLABUS
How could you use the family structural theory to determine if a family is dysfunctional or not? Provide evidence to support your answer.
NRS 429 Topic 5 DQ 2 OLD SYLLABU
What characteristics would lead a provider to suspect domestic violence, child abuse, or elder abuse is taking place within a family? Discuss your facility’s procedure for reporting these types of abuse.
Re: Topic 5 DQ 1
Health education is used to teach people how their actions or inactions have affected their overall health and well-being. Health promotion is when this information is used by the individual in order to promote their own health and have positive outcomes. “Nurses are actively involved in both health promotion and health education, providing education that is necessary to help patients achieve control over the promotion of their own health” Grand Canyon University, 2018). The nursing process is vital in developing health education. You first begin by assessing the knowledge your patient already has and what kind of learning style they possess. Next you would make a plan of how you wanted to educate the patient and the strategies they would best respond to. You should then implement the plan. And lastly, you need to evaluate how much and what information you patient has retained.
When I lived in the Midwest one of the major issues that affected many friends and family was the opioid epidemic. Many people I knew were not prone to drug abuse but because of lack of education found themselves abusing opioids. This type of addiction did not care what social or economic status you found yourself at, it did not discriminate against anyone. “Health education programs are a vital component to end the opioid epidemic by preventing opioid addiction and misuse before overdose or opioid-related comorbidities occur” (Policy Brief A Nation in Crisis: A Health Education Approach to Preventing Opioid Misuse and Addiction, n.d.). In order to slow the addiction to these kinds of drugs it is important to educate every patient before they begin taking any of these types of medications about their addictive nature. This should be done using public programs so that they have the information before they are even given an opioid. They then can address the issue with their doctor if they are ever prescribed an opioid. “Therefore, health education is not only effective in its ability to allow community members to make informed health decisions, but to improve safety and quality of life” (Policy Brief A Nation in Crisis: A Health Education Approach to Preventing Opioid Misuse and Addiction, n.d.).
Grand Canyon University (Ed). (2018). Health promotion: Health & wellness across the continuum. Retrieved from https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs429vn/health-promotion-health-and-wellness-across-the-continuum/v1.1/
Policy Brief A Nation in Crisis: A Health Education Approach to Preventing Opioid Misuse and Addiction. (n.d.). https://www.sophe.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Policy-Brief-Heealth-education-and-opioids.pdf
REPLY
Hello,
I agree with you that health education is critical component in nursing practice. It is the main tool that guides in health promotion approaches. The nurses have a responsibility to educate the members of the public on health risks, predisposing factors, the effects of the diseases and finally the preventive measures (Whitehead, n.d.). I also agree with you that health education empowers the members of the community hence increase their safety. This is as a result of having information on the risks of various lifestyle choices and habits that could have adverse effects to the health hence informed choices. Guidance and counselling patients is also a form of health education. In tackling the opioid misuse epidemic in the US, the federal regulation stipulates clearly the for the centers that dispense methadone treatment to offer counselling, the same applies to doctors who prescribe these drugs, they should refer the patients for counselling (Hoffman et al., 2019). This demonstrates how health education is a critical component in the healthcare systems.
NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I References
Whitehead, D. (n.d.). Exploring health promotion and health education in nursing. Journals.Rcni.com. https://journals.rcni.com/nursing-standard/cpd/exploring-health-promotion-and-health-education-in-nursing-ns.2018.e11220/print/abs
Hoffman, K. A., Ponce Terashima, J., & McCarty, D. (2019). Opioid use disorder and treatment: challenges and opportunities. BMC Health Services Research, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4751-4
Trans-theoretical Model was developed in the 1970s by Prochaska DiClemente. It is an integrative model to conceptualize the process of intentional behavior change, meaning people can only change their behaviors if they want to, and this doesn’t happen spontaneously, but rather through a process over time. The process of change according to this model goes through five distinctive stages namely ; precontemplation, contemplation, decision, action and maintenance. The individual must successfully complete the first stage before moving to the next stage.
This model can be used to provide tailored nursing for lifestyle modification such as physical activity, diet and smoking cessation management. The nurse should understand that not all individuals will move at the same pace, some will lag, stagnate or regress at a certain stage. Therefore, it is essential to consider the benefits and costs of implementing change, evaluating the effect of change, finding support for change and determining whether they can confidently make the change into a healthy behavior (Glanz, Rimer and Lewis,2005).
There are several barriers that affect a patient’s ability to learn, these include individual traits like age, race, ethnicity and immigration status. Other barriers include language, psychosocial issues, education level and life experiences (Whitney 2018). The nurse must keenly assess which learning style best suits the patient’s educational needs
Patient’s readiness to learn will greatly impact the learning outcome. A patient who has made an informed choice of making a healthy behavioral change will have a favorable outcome as compared to the one who hasn’t decided to change or who is still at the precontemplation stage. Also, the mental attitude of the patient towards change and the driving force to desire change counts. According to Opsal 2019, patients who were voluntarily admitted had higher chances of making a change in their health behavior unlike the ones admitted involuntarily.
NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I References:
CCC web books by AWS & CDD. (n.d.). Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs429vn/health-promotion-health-and-wellness-across-the-continuum/v1.1/#/chapter/2
Login. (n.d.). Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://eds-p-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/eds/
Assessment is usually the first step in the nursing process when developing care plans for an individual patient or a family. Family health assessment involves collecting information about a family’s disease prevention and health promotion practices (Jazieh et al., 2018). A family influences an individual’s health by health behavior, direct biological and psycho-physiological means. Family assessment is the initial step in establishing the need for additional interventions and the particular aspects of family life that need to be addressed (Jazieh et al., 2018). In this assignment, I developed a questionnaire using Gordon’s health patterns and interviewed a family. This paper seeks to analyze the family’s assessment findings, including the family structure, health behaviors, strengths, and health problems, and use the family systems theory to influence changes in the family.
Family Structure
I interviewed family X, a blended family of six members. The members include the father, mother, three daughters, and one son. The father is 58-year-old, the mother is 56 years, 1st born is 34, 2nd born is 32, 3rd born is 28, and 4th born is 16 years. Mr. and Mrs. X have been married for 24 years. Since it is a blended family, the 1st born and 3rd born daughter belong to Mrs. X, the 2nd born daughter belongs to Mr. X, and the 4th born son was born from their union. The family is multiracial; Mr. X is an African American, Mrs. X, and the 3rd born are Whites, and the 1st, 2nd, and 4th born children are multiracial. The family belongs to the upper-middle socioeconomic class with an average annual household income of $250,000. Mr. X is a managing director of an insurance firm, while Mrs. X is a financial coach having an established consultancy firm. The 1st born is an attorney, 2nd born is an architect, 3rd born is her final year in law school, and the 4th born is in his final high school year. The family lives in Forest Hills, Queens, in New York. All the family members observe the Catholic faith and practices.
Health Behaviors of the Family
The family generally has acceptable health behaviors based on the members’ lifestyle and health promotion practices. The family reported adopting a culture of taking freshly-prepared healthy home meals. Their meals are composed of high proteins, fruits and vegetables, and low carbohydrates. The diet patterns were informed by their awareness of chronic lifestyle illnesses and have helped to maintain a healthy weight (Conner & Norman, 2017). In addition, they reported having adequate water intake and healthy snacks between meals.
The family also has healthy sleeping patterns. Mrs. X reported that she initiated the sleeping patterns in the children since their childhood by limiting screen time. Another health behavior is attending annual well-exams. The family members have made it a habit to attend the exams where they are assessed for underlying problems and screened for chronic illnesses (Conner & Norman, 2017). The family generally has a good health status since no member has a chronic illness or is currently having an infectious disease.
Functional Health Pattern Strengths
Strengths were identified in the functional health patterns of Nutrition and Sleep-rest patterns. The family has adopted healthy dietary patterns characterized by balanced meals with adequate fruits and vegetable servings and low caloric intake. Besides, the family had no diet restrictions or difficulties in eating, digestion, or absorption of food. The family also avoids junk fast foods since they have high fat and sodium content and low-nutritional value (Conner & Norman, 2017). The family reported having adequate sleeping hours of 7-10 hours per day in the sleep-rest pattern. They also had adequate rest-relaxation periods and reported feeling rested and ready for daily activities after waking up. No member reported having difficulties initiating or maintaining sleep, sleeps interruptions, early awakening, or using sleeping aids.
Identified Health Problems/Barriers to Health
Health problems and barriers were identified in the patterns of Values-Health Perception, Activity-Exercise, and Role-Relationship. In the Values-Health perception pattern, some family members reported engaging in unhealthy habits such as tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, and marijuana use, which puts them at risk of chronic illnesses (Jia et al., 2017). In the Activity-Exercise pattern, most members had ineffective exercise patterns and reported rarely engaging in physical exercises. Besides, those who engaged in physical exercises did not reach the recommended minimum of 150 minutes of aerobic activity. The inadequate physical exercises put them at risk of chronic illnesses (Jia et al., 2017). The role-relationship pattern had major problems characterized by frequent strains and dysfunctional relationships in the family contributed by being in a blended family. Mr. and Mrs. X reported having difficulties in handling family problems. The children had frequent conflicts related to their roles in the family, and the parents experienced problems handling them. Besides, some of the children reported feeling isolated.
Application of the Family Systems Theory
The Family Systems theory describes a family as an interrelated whole that adapts to changes brought by a health illness of a family member. The theory helps providers understand that families change regularly in response to environmental stress and strains. The complexity of family systems advances over time, and families must improve their capacity to change or adapt (Calatrava et al., 2021). The family systems theory can be applied to promote healthy lifestyle practices in family X. A family member can be encouraged to adopt a healthier lifestyle, which will, in turn, inspire others to do the same (Pilato & Davison, 2021). Besides, the theory can help the family address the stress they undergo that causes family chaos to promote functional family patterns.
NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I Conclusion
The primary purpose of a family assessment is to assess and evaluate the family members’ functioning to understand their problems. The interviewed family demonstrated healthy behaviors such as healthy diet and sleep patterns and engaging in health promotion activities. However, health problems and barriers were identified in the Values-Health Perception, Activity-Exercise, and Role-Relationship patterns.
NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I References
Calatrava, M., Martins, M. V., Schweer-Collins, M., Duch-Ceballos, C., & Rodríguez-González, M. (2021). Differentiation of self: A scoping review of Bowen Family Systems Theory’s core construct. Clinical psychology review, 102101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102101
Conner, M., & Norman, P. (2017). Health behavior: Current issues and challenges. Psychology &
